The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-03-31
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TO-DAY.
CRATER xxx.
THE BIRDS HAVE FLOWN.

THE BIRDS HAVE FLOWN.
The darkness which settled over al
things after the explosion, was appall-
ing. Nv senses seemed numbed by it,
and | lay helpless. while the echoes Of
the crash went booming in my ears,
like great rings when stone has been
hurled into still water. l picked my
self up, and found that was unhurt.
The Basilisk's diaboical project, which
had the cab been few minutes earlier,
would undoubtedly have comprised my
destruction. filed me with fierce de-
termination of revenge. / had escaped
them. They should not escape me.
But NJ ny! Still in the power Of
Plowitz. My first care must be for her.
The explosion would gather people to-
eether. The police would soon be ON
the spot. could not spare the time to
be subjected TO the enquiries Of the
police. Unjust get back to Shaw unob-
served, and prosecute to the utmost our
endeavors to trace Mary.
As got farther away from the scene
Of heeSplosion l began to collect my
thoughts. felt perfect conviction
that the first note was genuine, that
Mary was away, and that Plowitz de-
signed removing her to the Continent,
via Harwich. The second note I felt
convinced likewise was design Of the
Basilisk to do away with witness OF
the unlawful doings of her home, to
arcnge herself on a rival, and to punish
with death one who had refused her
proGered love. / scrambled and STUN
bled along, making throu yh hedges and
over the railway bank for the spot
where had left the cab. I found it
gone as / imagined would be the case.
The driver was doubtless one Of the
Basilisk's myrm.dons disguised. Yes!
There had seemed to be something
familiar to me in his voice, disguised rs
he was. 1t was Grimes! With all the
haste could make, consistently with
safety, Ipushed my way across country,
anxious only to avoid observation and
delay. Once | got nearer the road
than had thought, and crouched close
while hurrying feet and eager voices
passed. Then the sound of horses
hoofs came nearer at q furious pace.
and fire-engine, with its comct-like
trail of flying sparks, went laundering
down the road toward Frognal. Once
or twice thought / had lost my bear
ings, but soon recovered them by COM
ing unexpectedly upon the hedge that
bordered the highway; but knew the
general direction pretty well by this
time, and finally gained the road. not
more than mile from ST. Bartimeus' $
after an areuous cross-country journey,
unobseryed. found Shaw waiting up
In much anxiety.
You are safe! What was that ex.
plosien?" was his immediate enquiry.
Hanover Lodge l said. Il was
destined to be one of the victims if not
the only one.'
Shaw stood petrified with astonish-
ment.
..Good Hcayens!'' exclaimed, as a
new thought struck me. .Suppose
they have left her there to perish?"
MY dear Coplcstonc, that is utterly
improbable said Shaw very decidedly.
1.-The second note was doubtless trick
to compass your destruction; but there
was Plowitz to be reckoned with about
Miss Fortescne. and it would suit the
Basilisk far more to leave her in the
power Of man she loathes than to put
her suddenly to death"
That was indeed true, and I took
courage.
..Come." said he; Eat eleven we have
to see Inspector Rosebush again. 1t is
Jtill early. Take little rest. and we
will soon be on the track again in good
earnest"
For while l slept profoundly, and in
due time we set out once more for
Scotland Yard.
Inspector Rosebush received us with
an empressment which showed that he
attached no less Importance now to our
case than he had on first getting q clue
to the identity OF Plowitz.
.They could not have got away last
night-ihatis certain" he said. They
have not been traced yet, and haven't
gone by any of the early boats; but the
longer they remain in England, the
more impossible is it for them TO get
away unobseryed. They will cross this
evening""
This he said after reading the note
from Mrs. Hardy which he retained,
without making any observation upon
it whatever.
There was moments silence, after
which the Inspector handed me brief
official report Of the destruction of Han
over Lodge, and the presumed death Of
al the inmates / looked at Mr.. Rose
bush when ! had read the report.
There was strange look of incredulity
on his features.
"That is curious coincidence" he
said drily.
then told him of my accidental
Identification of the Basilisk in the cab,
and showed him the second note.
lie looked out of the window for a
minute or two, holding the note in one
hand, and tapping the table with the
fingers of the other. Whatever he
thought, he said but little.
At last he deigned to express an
opinion.
'.I don't think there was anybody In
the house.
/ knew the Basilisk, and didn't feel at
al sure.
Meanwhile he assured us that every
ching possible was being, and would be.
lone. He regarded the Harwich route
IS probably the real one, and informed
rs that there would be strict watch
kept upon the passengers crossing
that evening. Shaw and I re
solved to 60 down and watch
We could do no particular good; but
was feverish with anxiety to do some
thing-to greet Mary as soon as posi-
BILE, to Witness the overthrow of ths
william Plowitz's schemes. Our inter